Police: Fire at Shirley couple's bakery in Leominster is suspicious

The front of Joyce's Pies & Bakery on North Main Street in Leominster was relatively unscathed after Tuesday morning's fire.
SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE

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LEOMINSTER -- Joyce Addonizio got on the phone to tell brides who have weddings this weekend that a fire at her Joyce's Pies & Bakery on North Main Street will prevent her from baking the cakes they ordered.

As she stood outside the bakery once the flames were out, she worried about having to tell the brides, but other bakeries in the city started offering support soon after.

Joyce's had orders for three or four cakes this weekend and another three or four next weekend.

Owners of bakeries Auntie Ellen's and Shancakes visited the shop at 580 North Main St. to offer help, said Joyce's husband, Bob Addonizio.

The Addonizios, who live in Shirley, were amazed at the support from fellow bakeries and other parts of the community.

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Representatives from Mayor Dean Mazzarella's office visited and said they will hold a ribbon-cutting for the reopening.

"I've had everybody call to support us," Addonizio said.

Everything was normal and secured when they left the shop Monday, Joyce Addonizio said.

"When we closed, everything was locked down and closed as normal," she said. "Same as every day for 23 years."

Wiring Inspector Joe Poirier said it wasn't an electrical problem that caused the fire. Fire Lt. John Gendron called the fire suspicious.

The Police Department posted a video on its Facebook page of a man inside the Unified Petroleum gas station next door who police would like to speak to regarding the fire.

Sgt.

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John Fraher said it is his understanding no arrests have been made but that "arson charges can be expected to come shortly."

Leominster Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000.

The first firefighters from Engine 3 reported fire from the rear of the building, Lt. Roger LaPointe said.

"Call from a passerby was the first call, then we started to get calls here from others going by," LaPointe said.

The Leominster Police Department posted a short video clip of a man in the Unified Petroleum gas station next door to the scene they would like to speak with regarding the fire at Joyce's Pie & Bakery. Nobody has been arrested yet, but police said Tuesday night that arson charges are expected to come shortly.
COURTESY LEOMINSTER POLICE

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Firefighters knocked down the heaviest flames in about 15 minutes, then spent about an hour going through the building looking for embers and hot spots, LaPointe said.

Flames burned an estimated 15-foot-by-40-foot addition to the building that was used for storage and refrigeration, LaPointe said.

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